Inspiration The average Reddit user spends over 20 minutes per session scrolling, often falling into content bubbles. We wanted to create something that delivers the best of Reddit in quick, exciting bursts while helping users discover content outside their usual feeds. ORCA was born from our desire to transform passive scrolling into active, time-boxed engagement.
What it does ORCA presents users with 60-second Reddit-based challenges twice daily. Each game pulls content from across subreddits and creates quick, engaging activities - from finding specific content to solving puzzles based on posts. The time constraint creates an adrenaline-pumping experience, while the daily limit keeps users coming back without promoting endless usage.
How we built it We developed ORCA using React for the frontend interface and implemented Reddit OAuth for secure authentication. We utilized the Reddit API through snoowrap to access content across subreddits. The randomization engine runs on a custom algorithm that filters content for quality and appropriateness. All this is wrapped in a sleek, intuitive interface designed for split-second decisions.
Challenges we ran into Reddit's API rate limiting posed significant challenges for our real-time game mechanics. Additionally, designing an algorithm that could quickly select engaging content while filtering out inappropriate material required several iterations. We also wrestled with optimizing performance to ensure the 60-second countdown felt seamless even when loading new content.
Accomplishments that we're proud of We successfully created an experience that transforms passive content consumption into active engagement. Our algorithm consistently delivers diverse, interesting content tailored to user preferences. Most importantly, user testing shows that ORCA sessions feel satisfying despite their brevity - players report the same dopamine hit from a 60-second game that they typically get from much longer scrolling sessions.
What we learned Building ORCA taught us the value of constrained experiences in digital products. We discovered that limitations (like time constraints and usage caps) can actually enhance user satisfaction rather than diminish it. We also gained deep expertise in Reddit's API ecosystem and the challenges of content curation at scale.
What's next for ORCA We're planning to introduce community features that allow friends to compete in the same 60-second challenges and compare results. We're also developing an expanded range of game modes targeting different interests and skill sets. Longer term, we envision adapting our platform to other content sources beyond Reddit while maintaining our core philosophy of brief, meaningful digital experiences.
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